Locations around Bristol

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When the Americans came to Bristol in the Second World War, they took over buildings across the city, built barracks in open ground and were billeted in private houses. It seems there were no parts of the city that didn’t have Yanks staying. This is the beginning of a list of places with direct American connections, which will grow as I learn of more. If you can help, please email YanksinBristol@gmail.com

SiteRoad/AreaPurpose
Clifton CollegeCollege Road, CliftonV Corps Headquarters
First Army Headquarters
Ninth Army Headquarters (post D-Day)
Clifton College Sports GroundBeggar(s) Bush Lane, Abbots Leigh
Holly Bush Lane,
Air strip to convey documentation from First Army Headquarters
The HolmesStoke BishopAccommodation for General Omar Bradley,commander of First Army
Clifton DownLadies Mile, CliftonMilitary vehicle storage
Durdham DownSea WallsArmoured Fighting Vehicle servicing area
Vassall CentreGill Avenue, FishpondsAccommodation huts and offices?
Shirehampton Park Golf CoursePark Hill, ShirehamptonAccommodation huts
Frenchay HospitalFrenchayUsed by various US hospital units
Tenniscourt Road/Siston CommonBetween Anchor and Dawn Rise, New CheltenhamAccommodation huts
Muller OrphangesMuller Road, Ashley DownAccommodation
Sefton Park SchoolWilliamson Road, Ashley DownOffices and base
Victoria ParkBedminsterStores dump
Siston CommonFisher RoadAccommodation huts
Ashton Court ManorAshton CourtUS Army Hospital?
Lockleaze?
American Red Cross Services ClubBerkeley SquareCanteen recommended in guide book.
American Red Cross Services ClubGreat George StreetCanteen recommended in guide book
American Red Cross Services ClubRoyal West of England Academy, Queen’s RoadReplacement when Berkeley Square was too small
American ConsulMr Roy W. Baker, 18 Baldwin Street
Wesley’s ChapelBroadmeadVisited by many American Methodists
Y.M.C.A44 College RoadLeave Hostel for officers and enlisted men
Y.M.C.AColston StreetMainly civilian
Y.M.C.AVictoria StreetTransients only
York House
Hostel
Bath BridgeLeave hostel for women. Given by Bristol, Rhode Island
Church Army Services ClubBroadmeadRest and relaxation
Soroptimists’ Club15 Upper Belgrave Road, CliftonRest and relaxation
Colston HallColston StreetTheatre frequented by all armed forces personnel
Bristol Grammar SchoolUniversity RoadCeremony for meeting of UK and US Bristols
Royal Empire SocietyWhiteladies RoadRendezvous for British
Commonwealth and American troops
Merchant Sailor’s ClubPark StreetSocial club
Bristol CathedralCollege GreenThanksgiving Day Service
Colonel Henry Washington MemorialQueens Road, CliftonIndependence Day service
Bonded Tobacco WarehouseBedminsterG Depot for Comms Z – largest of 20 supply depots
Avonmouth DocksAvonmouthStores and supplies, main aircraft receiving port
Wapley CommonNear YatePort Intransit Depot
Private HomesWestbury-on-Trym
Shirehampton
Henleaze
Stoke Bishop
Fishponds
Patchway
Knowle
Sea Mills
Stoke Bishop
Little Stoke
Ashton Court ParkStorageTanks, trucks and other vehicles
Old Drill HallOld Market StreetInitial billet for African Americans
Victoria RoomsTriangle, CliftonThe scene of many dances attended by both American servicemen and local women
Grand HotelBroad StreetHotel that tried to refuse a room to General Bradley
Greyhound TrackKnowle (now Ravenhead Drive, Allamead Drive, Long Eaton DriveUS Army camp
Red Lodge?
Bellow’s Society
Filton Airfield
Radnor HotelSt Nicholas St.Only gay pub in Bristol in WW2. Requented by gay GIs from Clifton College
Kings Weston HouseKingswestonUS Army camp
Frenchay CommonFrenchayField used for baseball
The GreenPark Place, CliftonUsed for Independence Day ceremony
Washington MemorialOutside Bristol Museum, CliftonUsed for Independence Day ceremony
Church LaneOld MarketArea notorious for ‘goodbyes’ between G.I.s and their girlfriends.
Cooperative Bakery (at the dairy)Whitby RoadSecret storage facility for D-Day planning
Pitch & Pay HousePitch & Pay Lane, Sneyd ParkHQ of 519th Port Battalion
Stoke LodgeShirehampton Road, Stoke BishopNissan huts provided possible mess
Sea Mills CampsPenpole LaneUS Army base
Packer’s Chocolate FactoryTurley Road, GreenbankUS Army stores
Glenside Hospital groundsManor Road, FishpondsUS Army camp

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2 responses to “Locations around Bristol”

  1. June Knighton avatar

    Is it possible to obtain the names of GI’s located in the Fishponds area in the last year of WW2?.

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    1. Hi June, I’m not aware of any list unfortunately. It might be possible to research this but the names would likely be in unit histories buried in US archives.

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